Lightning News

Declan Farmer wins ESPY Award for best male athlete with a disability

Tampa Bay native Declan Farmer won the ESPY for best male athlete with a disability on Wednesday night at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.

Farmer helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in the 2014 Paralympic games held in Sochi, Russia. Farmer led the team in goals (7) and points (12).

Farmer plays with the Lightning Made sled hockey team in addition to his duties with the USA hockey national team.

"Declan is truly an inspiration," said Lightning community hockey coordinator Tom Garavaglia. "His love and dedication to the game of hockey is something to be admired. I’ve had the privilege of watching Declan grow and flourish into the terrific young man that he is today. Watching him represent and lead his country to the gold medal was an absolute thrill."

Farmer participated in three U.S. sled hockey camps before becoming the youngest player to ever wear the USA hockey crest in sled hockey competition in 2013.

"Words cannot express how proud we are of Declan and all he has accomplished," Garavaglia said. "He is truly a deserving individual."

Despite being smaller and younger than most of his opponents, Farmer dominated showing finesse with his dekes and being able to shoot with accuracy with both hands.